Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder characterized by manic and depressive episodes. These episodes typically last two or more weeks at a time; however, some patients experience rapid mood shifts. Bipolar disorder can effect many aspects of life and daily functioning. Bipolar has two types: bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 is more severe and more difficult to treat than bipolar 2. Both forms often can be managed with medication and therapy.
Abilify
Abilify, generic name aripiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic that works by altering how chemicals within the brain function. Abilify is FDA approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder and is available in four forms; tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, liquid and injections.
How Abilify Works
The brain is made up of nerve cells, which receive information via neurotransmitters carrying the information from one nerve cell to the next. The brain contains many neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, both of which are essential for emotional health and well-being. According to information provided by the manufacturer, Abilify is thought to work by affecting the activity of some key brain chemicals including adjusting dopamine, instead of completely blocking it, and adjusting serotonin.
Dosage
Prescribing information from the manufacturer and published by the FDA indicates that for adults with bipolar disorder the recommended dosing is 15mg/day with the maximum recommended dose being 30mg/day. For pediatric patients, meaning those ages 10 to 17, the initial dosage is 2mg/day, with a recommended dosage of 10mg/day, and a maximum dosage of 30mg/day.
Side Effects
Side effects among adult patients with bipolar disorder taking Abilify include sedation, restlessness, tremors and insomnia. For pediatric patients, the most common side effects shown in clinical trials were flat affect and fatigue. Additionally, Tardive Dyskinesia, known as TD, is an adverse effect that may come from long term use of Abilify. TD may cause slow or jerky movements that cannot be controlled, often in the mouth, the tongue or the jaw, and may be irreversible.
Monotherapy Versus Adjunctive Therapy
Monotherapy is the use of one medication to treat a particular disorder. For patients with bipolar disorder, many doctors use Abilify only in an effort to treat manic and mixed episodes. This has been shown to be effective with both adult and pediatric patients. For other patients, doctors recommend Abilify as an adjunctive therapy, meaning it's used in addition to another medication for bipolar disorder, such as either lithium or valproate.
